Conservation: Story

Story Posted
05-01-2013

USFWS's Eagle Conservation Plan

Assists eagle preservation while facilitating wind energy

Photo Credit: George Gentry/USFWS' title='Protections for bald and golden eagles at wind farms will be aided by the release of the Service's Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance.
Photo Credit: George Gentry/USFWS'/>
Protections for bald and golden eagles at wind farms will be aided by the release of the Service's Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance.
Photo Credit: George Gentry/USFWS

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance to provide a pathway for the responsible development of wind energy that fosters protection for bald and golden eagles.

This new Guidance helps wind energy facilities assess the potential threat to eagles from their operations, and develop comprehensive avoidance, mitigation, and compensation strategies that will help preserve eagle populations across the nation while facilitating the expansion of renewable energy. The Guidance reflects the Service’s approach of supporting renewable energy development that is compatible with fish and wildlife conservation.

“The Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance helps us protect eagle populations, builds on our current
knowledge, and provides additional tools to predict the level of risks to eagles on a project-byproject basis,” said Dan Ashe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director. “This Guidance
document incorporates adaptive management approaches that will allow us to improve how we
assess risks to eagles.”

The Guidance is intended to promote compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act with respect to eagles and wind development. Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are protected under these statutes, and the Service implements permit programs for eagles through implementing regulations.

The Guidance provides wind project developers and operators a roadmap to follow in their applications for eagle take permits. Following the Guidance in the development of an Eagle Conservation Plan ensures that wind project developers or operators consider and address everything necessary for eagle take permit applications. The Guidance also provides Service staff and others with background information and tools necessary to evaluate such applications and determine whether a permit can be issued.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfwssoutheast, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwssoutheast, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwssoutheast.